Religion, Feminism, and Environmentalism Research Paper - 1

Religion, Feminism, and Environmentalism - Research Paper Example Women who are both religious and in support of the efforts of the women’s movement have sought common ground in order to actively pursue ecological interests. In comparing Christian, Hindu, and Buddhist faiths in context with women’s movements, it is clear they are actively interested in both principles of equality and ecology where common ground can be found which unites these belief systems. Ecological feminism is a theory that combines feminist ideals and motivations with a concern with preserving the world through ecological perspectives. Warren and Cheney write that â€Å"Ecological feminism is a feminism which attempts to unite the demands of the women's movement with those of the ecological movement in order to bring about a world and worldview that are not based on socioeconomic and conceptual structures of domination†. The marriage of the women’s movement and ecological interests is not new and can be seen in many cultures, including in Brazil whe re the women’s movement and the landless people movement were grew together in order to support the concept of living off of the land in a communal and freedom based environment that was contextually absent of consumerist interests. This was done in order to support the weak and the marginalized in a meaningful and bountiful way.2 It may be that the problems within the environment are some of the most serious problems that are being faced in the 21st century as the economy and the act of working is based upon consumerism which often strips resources and fundamentally changes ecological systems both nonhuman and human.3 The idea of ecological feminist movements are often based upon practical solutions to social problems where in the shadow of patriarchy and male dominance, alternatives to participation in economies where there are disadvantaged women find ways in which to focus on less economically based roots of survival. Hindu The traditions of India were always based upon e cological principles in which sustainability was a driving force behind decision making in relationship to resources. Religious texts such as the Vedas and Puranas supported environmental ethics as well as the Advaita philosophy that â€Å"acquires a cosmic character as it considers all living beings to be God’s creation†4 This is the basis of Indian belief systems that place importance on reverence for the Earth. However, industrialization and the formation of larger cities as centers of employment have led to deforestation and he disruption of what had been carefully attended ecologies, specifically affecting women who depend more on the natural world for their sustenance and methods of earning a living. The development of environmental movements have allowed women a common cause that does not run contrary to other cultural belief systems, but allows them to assert themselves into the public discourse. The extremes of poverty sometimes prevent women in India to becom e activists, but it galvanizes others.5 In India, the issues of ecology and sustainability are integral to the needs of many women who are struggling with extremes of poverty that is heightened by destruction of resources that would have otherwise supported them. As in most nations, women in India are among the poorest demographic, with urbanization pushing women into the workforce at a higher rate of 19.5%, which leaves them in marginalized social positions in low paying jobs.6 The issue of ecological irresponsibility affects these women directly as their tradition and culture is irrevocably changed, the sustainability of the ecology is

In What Way Did Liberal thought Reshape Our Understanding of Markets Essay

In What Way Did Liberal thought Reshape Our Understanding of Markets and Labour - Essay Example Liberalization according to Ramsay (2004) is derived from human nature whereby individuals are assumed to have inherent rights to life, liberty and property and are also considered as autonomous beings with individual interests. Liberal ideas thus emphasize equality, justice, fairness, and freedom and in economic terms, relaxation of trade restrictions to enhance trade between countries. These liberal ideas have reshaped our understanding of markets and labour over ages and given birth to the concept of a free market or capitalism. The paper will discuss how liberal thought reshaped our understanding of markets and labour. This will be achieved by explaining what the market society is, how it came about as well as the key problems that we all face today in the context of an economy in crisis. The Market Society A market society is an economic system where prices are determined by the market forces of demand and supply or the price mechanism. It is mostly referred as capitalism and is characterized by private ownership of property and exchange between legally free individuals (Muller 2002). Due to liberalization, most nations now can trade with other nations all over the world thus shrinking the world into a global village. There is also free movement of labour within and across borders leading to spread of knowledge and ideas which further commerce through innovations and inventions. Each individual in the system pursues self-interests of maximizing utility, profit, and wages. The moral worth of the society is organized around the market and the role of the state is to guard property rights (Aristotle, 1962). Montesquieu (1989) argues that the growth of commerce has made nations to be dependent on each other hence bringing peace among nations. He also criticizes state intervention in the market as it brings about poverty. In a liberal economy, people can achieve their goals as there is nothing preventing them to pursue self-interests. Poverty thus does not exis t in a market society and if it does exist, it is because the individuals do not know the comforts of life; poverty is part of liberty (338). In a market society, there is democracy based on liberal ideas of equality. All members of society thus participate in running of the state as opposed to one man’s rule such as monarchy although in some cases such as England, monarchy does exist even though the state is a free market. A market society is also characterized by competition between various producers as well as nations leading to efficiency in allocation of resources. Nations are able to produce and export whatever they can produce efficiently and import goods which are not efficient to produce due to lack of resources or suitable technology. This enables the citizens to have a greater choice of commodities at affordable prices as a result of competition. This enables individuals to exercise their liberty by having freedom of choice (Hirschman, 1977). Besides having a varie ty of choices, individuals are free to work in any country where wages are competitive and also learn new ideas from other professionals thus widening the scope of commerce .According to Hume (2006), trade enhances production of labour for particular commodities due to increased manufacturing of such items. He also argued that labour could be used to produce in plenty goods for domestic consumption if such goods don’